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Gastonia council holds interviews for vacant Ward 4 seat; no appointment made
Summary
The Gastonia City Council conducted 30-minute interviews with five candidates for the Ward 4 vacancy on Monday in a special meeting. Candidates emphasized homelessness, mental health, downtown development and public safety. Council did not appoint a replacement at the meeting and recessed to decide at a later council session.
Gastonia City Council met in a special session Monday in January 2025 to interview five finalists for the vacant Ward 4 city council seat; the council did not appoint a replacement at the meeting.
The council allotted about 30 minutes for each interview. Candidates gave opening statements and answered questions from council members about priorities including homelessness and affordable housing, mental-health services, downtown economic development, public safety and the city’s 2050 comprehensive plan.
Candidate Rissy Barnett, a lifelong resident, said she has experience with school-based and community programs and emphasized direct service and mentoring. Barnett told the council she works for Contegra as a regional lead for school-based therapists and described local needs she sees in Title I schools, saying, “there’s always a need for volunteers” and identifying basic needs like toiletries for students.
Candidate Cheryl Littlejohn said she…
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